COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State kicks off at noon against Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, the fourth straight 12 p.m. start this season for the Buckeyes. As with every game, the buildup for kickoff begins Friday night, when a coach who has built his reputation on intensity wants his guys watching movies, grabbing some snacks and relaxing before he tells them good night.

Urban Meyer calls his toughest practice day of the week "Bloody Tuesday," but just as important to his plan is "The Best Friday in Football," his name for the day before the game.

Under a new staff, the Buckeyes have continued their tradition of eating dinner Friday night at the Ohio State University Golf Club, usually around 6 p.m. Steak and the beloved pecan rolls are still on the menu, though several players said the menu has expanded compared to past years, with fifth-year senior linebacker Etienne Sabino pointing out the various chicken options each week.

Sabino also described different games that the Buckeyes play on their indoor practice field as part of their Friday fun, from home run derby to shooting footballs into baskets to a "little hot potato game I really don't understand yet," Sabino said.

After dinner, the Buckeyes return to The Blackwell, the campus hotel where they always spend the night before games. And the plan is more fun, with two rooms set up for players to either watch a movie or Friday night college football games.

No. 16 Ohio State vs. UAB

Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

Radio/TV: WKNR AM/850; Big Ten Network.

Notable: Ohio State (3-0) is favored by 37 points as it concludes its nonconference schedule. Look for OSU RB Jordan Hall, who gained 87 yards in his 2012 debut against California last week, to have a big day. The Buckeyes know they need a presence running the ball other than QB Braxton Miller, and Hall will get every opportunity to become that. UAB (0-2) is under first-year coach Garrick McGee, who is hoping to keep his team healthy for what he believes could be a run for the Conference-USA title. QB Jonathan Perry can sling it and WR Jackie Williams can catch it. The Buckeyes' defense, led by DLs John Simon and Johnathan Hankins, figures to be geared up after surrendering huge gainers in each of the first three games. UAB is averaging a respectable 363 yards a game. The Blazers lost their home opener to instate rival Troy, 39-29, and are playing their second consecutive ranked opponent after falling, 49-6, at No. 8 South Carolina last week.

"At the hotel, we have a big snack area and stuff like that that we didn't have in the past," senior fullback Zach Boren said.

Hall said in previous years, sometimes long meetings were a part of Friday nights. Now, Meyer said, "when they head over to the golf course, basically, they're done. We have a great dinner, we relax, mini-meetings at most, and then we go to bed."

Boren said the quizzes to make sure the players know their responsibilities for the game are still given on Fridays, but they are done when they get to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center earlier in the day, not at night.

This fun plan is pretty serious fun, something Meyer said he picked up while working as an assistant for Sonny Lubick at Colorado State.

"His whole theme was they have to get their rest on a Friday night," Meyer said. "You can't be showing highlight tapes to them Friday night, get them all razzled up. You're dealing with 17-, 18-, 19-year-old kids."

"It kind of lightens the mood," Sabino said of the approach. "You get focused, then you have some fun, then you get focused. You go back and forth."

By the time the players wake up around 7 a.m. for Saturday's noon start, then grab a team breakfast around 7:30, have a couple of meetings, do a walkthrough and watch a highlight tape, Hall said they are "locked in."

That process starts the night before by kicking back.

"I want the guys having a good time, a little fellowship," said Meyer, who then caps the night with a room check.

"I check in each guy. I go around to each room and have a little conversation with each guy before they go to bed," Meyer said.

Then it's lights out, and when the alarm clock goes off, time for football.

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